Jamie Andrew Caines spared jail after drunkenly permitting abuse of his 8-year-old dog Harley

A man who allowed the horrific abuse of his staffy Harley has been sentenced after telling a court his dog had been injured when it tried to jump a fence.

Jamie Caines, 30 of Parafield Gardens, has been spared jail for the botched castration of his dog, Harley. Picture: Facebook

A Parafield Gardens man has been spared jail for drunkenly permitting the abuse his dog, and allowing his wounds to go untreated for more than a month.

On Wednesday, Jaime Andrew Caines, 30, appeared in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court to be sentenced for allowing the botched castration of his dog, eight-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Harley.

The lawyer for the RSPCA, Simon Perrie, told the court Caines, while drunk, had allowed a farmer to castrate Harley without anaesthesia, using a method commonly employed on sheep – despite having no formal veterinary qualifications.

Harley was seized to be provided care for his necrotic wound. Picture: RSPCA

During a prior court hearing in March this year, counsel for Caines told the court Harley had been injured after “trying to jump a sharp metal fence”.

In a report to the court, the RSPCA SA vet said the method would have caused the dog “considerable pain” – as did his lack of treatment.

Magistrate Lana Chester heard Caines failed to obtain veterinary care for Harley and when RSPCA SA inspectors attended Caines’ Parafield Gardens property on April 9, 2024, he was located with a necrotic and infected wound.

Harley was seized and taken for medical care.

Harley has now recovered from the necrotic wound and was adopted. Picture: RSPCA

Harley is now happy and healthy in his new home. Picture: RSPCA

The court heard two smaller dogs were also living inside the home alongside two cats and a snake in “filthy conditions” with overflowing litter trays throughout the home.

Caines pleaded guilty to one count of ill treating an animal to cause death or serious harm and one count of ill treating an animal.

According to court documents, Caines pleaded guilty to “recklessly” causing Harley the dog serious harm through means of a castration of the animal’s testicles.

During sentencing on Wednesday, defence told the court the other animals remaining in the home belonged to his partner who also resided there. She is not accused of wrong-doing.

Caines was sentenced to three-month and seven-day imprisonment, suspended on a 12-month good behaviour bond. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate Lana Chester made three specific orders to protect the welfare of the animals remaining in the home that the RSPCA did not seize.

These orders included the animals be taken to a vet every three months for the next year, with veterinary reports provided to RSPCA SA.

The court banned Caines from acquiring more animals until further order.

He was sentenced to three months in jail, suspended on a 12-month good behaviour bond and

ordered to pay $5387 in vet, boarding and legal fees.

Harley is now permanently in a loving home.